Pet Gazette

Dog Breeds in Groups

In this article you will find the majority of dog breeds that are recognized around the world. The dog breeds are categorized by groups:

The Working Group Breed

Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Bernese Mountain Dog, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher, Field Spaniel, Finnish Spitz, Flat-Coated Retriever, Fox Terrier, French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Siberian Husky, Standard Schnauzer, Tibetan Mastiff.

The Toy Group Breed

Affenpinscher, Brussels Griffon, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua,Chinese Crested, English Toy Spaniel, Havanese, Italian Greyhound, Maltese, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Poodle, Pug, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Toy Fox Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier.

The Terrier Group Breed

Airedale Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Australian Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Border Terrier, Bull Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Fox Terrier, Irish Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Norfolk Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Skye Terrier, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Welsh Terrier, West Highland White Terrier.

The Sporting Group Breeds

American Water Spaniel, Brittany, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, English Toy Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Pointer, Spinone Italiano, Sussex Spaniel, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

The Non-Sporting Group Breeds

American Eskimo Dog, Bichon Frise, Border Terrier, Boston Terrier, Bulldog, Chinese Shar-Pei, Chow Chow, Dalmatian, Finnish Spitz, French Bulldog, Keeshond, Lhasa Apso, Poodle, Schipperke, Shiba Inu, Tibetan Spaniel, Tibetan Terrier.

The Hound Group Breeds

Afghan Hound, American Foxhound, Basenji, Basset Hound, Beagle, Black-and-Tan Coonhound, Bloodhound, Borzoi, Dachshund, English Foxhound, Greyhound, Harrier, Ibizan Hound, Irish Wolfhound, Italian Greyhound, Norwegian Elkhound, Otter Hound, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Pharaoh Hound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Saluki, Scottish Deerhound, Whippet.

The Herding Group Breeds

Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Belgian Sheepdog, Border Collie, Bouvier des Flandres, Briard, Canaan Dog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Collie, Dachshund, Dalmatian, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Dogue de Bordeaux, Dogo Argentino, German Shepherd, Old English Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Polish Owczarek Nizinny, Puli, Shetland Sheepdog.

Adopting a cat can be a minefield or it can be a very rewarding experience for both the cat and the owner. Cats are placed in shelters for a huge amount of reasons. Sometimes the reason is innocuous the owner has died or they are moving and cannot take the cat with them. Other times the cat does not fit in with a life>Before you consider bringing in an animal from a shelter into your home it can be important to ask what sort of evaluation of the animal the shelter is providing. It is helpful if you have an evaluation of the cat’s prior behaviour, as well as a screening for diseases such as feline leukaemia virus. Sometimes the shelter can only offer an assessment of the animal’s behaviour with them because they have no other information.

It can be a very rewarding experience saving a cat from the threat of being put down, but it is not a decision to take lightly.  It is important that the cat meet as many family members as possible before the adoption and that you have the opportunity to evaluate the cat’s behaviour away from other animals as well As with them.  Also, be aware that the behaviour the animal is exhibiting is not normal they may be missing a home, or be frightened. Not all animals in shelter are placed there because they have behavioural problems.

Certainly if you are buying the animal from a shelter because it is the cheaper option you should also consider that the real cost of keeping any pet is high, it is not just food, but toys, medical care, boarding fees and many other costs. There are so many animals that are without homes it can be an option to be considered if you want a new cat or even kitten.

Vaccinations are a crucial part of pet care, for two reasons they protect the dog from disease like distemper, and they protect humans and the dogs from diseases such as rabies that can be passed from dog to human.

However vaccinations are not necessarily as routine as they once were

Recent studies have begun to show that when a dog has been vaccinated they have protection for longer than was previously thought. In addition, we now understood that the procedure is not as innocuous as it was once thought to be. Immunologist, infectious disease experts have drawn up a new set of guidelines so that veterinarians can review the risk of disease more accurately and then make the vaccination programme more effective.

Nowadays it is recognised that all dogs are different and the decisions have to take into account the age, breed, environment and travel requirements for each individual dog. Fortunately the modern view is coming around to the idea that all vaccinations have an inherent risk and dogs have a right not to be vaccinated against something they are never likely to encounter in their lives.

Accordingly vaccines have been split into the essential and non essential

The core vaccines recommended for all dogs whatever the type age or other factors are adenovirus, distemper, parvovirus and rabies. Despite the risk of a dog having a reaction to these vaccines, the risk of the dog contracting the disease is higher. Kennel cough, leptospirosis and Lyme disease vaccination are regarded as non essential and it is up to the owner to take advice on the risk.

Guidelines recommend that the distemper, adenovirus and parvovirus core vaccines be given once every three years. Rabies vaccinations does depend on local area health requirements and may be anywhere between one a year to once every four years. If you are showing your dog, or it is placed in a kennel environment then it has a real risk of contracting kennel cough, in these cases it is recommended twice a year. If you a dog is less at risk then the vaccine may be given annually.

However because vaccinations may be less rare but it is important not to neglect medical care for dogs taking the dog to a veterinarian for an annual check up is only the same as a once in seven year check up for a human. Titers or effective blood checks to test exactly how much protection your dog has against certain diseases is becoming more common and although they are now still controversial in time they will help to give a fuller picture.

Canine influenza is a new type of flu strain first reported in Florida in 2005 by the University Of Florida College Of Veterinary Medicine.

They found that many dogs in humane societies, dog shelters and

Veterinary hospitals in that state had serious respiratory failure. They isolated the strain of the disease as coming from equine influenza virus or horse flu.  The first thing to clarify is that although the disease is a mutation it has no affect on human (or bird) populations.

Canine influenza is a contagious respiratory disease that requires medical treatment and the symptoms are sneezing, coughing, and fever. Approximately a fifth of all infected dogs have no symptoms at all. The other eighty percent have either a mild or a serious grade of the flu nut its mortality rate is less than eight percent.

Mild cases of canine flu normally means the dog has a low-grade fever and a persistent cough that may last weeks. There is often a nasal discharge. When dog flu is more serious the fever is higher and the symptoms are worse the dog has sever breathing problems as well as other symptoms more commonly associated with pneumonia. As the disease is a new strain, no dogs have had time to develop immunity.

Antibiotics are usually prescribed so that they can deal with any secondary bacterial infections. In general, dogs respond in the same way that human’s do they need plenty of fluids and rest while the disease takes its course. If the case is severe then the dogs may need intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration.  

It is still too new disease to be absolutely sure of all the facts but it does appear to be an airborne virus and dogs catch it from the droplets of the coughs and sneezes of other infected dogs. New infections seem to take between three and five days to take a hold. Once dogs have the infection then they are capable of spreading the disease from the point of symptoms for about ten days. However tour dog can catch the disease from an infected surface they never need to actually see another dog with the disease

At present  no vaccine is available however you should be alert to the disease and if your dog has to go into kennels choose one that you know.

There are many reasons why dogs cough canine cough or kennel cough, is caused by bacteria, or parainfluenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract that is normally mild. Dog flu was first found in the greyhound population, but it was not spread by greyhounds it was coincidental that greyhounds were being studied for other purposes when the disease was discovered.

Traveling By Air with Your Dog

In the past when a dog traveled by air it was common to place the dog in the hold as baggage. This was traumatic and dangerous for dogs. There is no protection in the hold against the extremes of temperature and once in the hold they were trapped. Certainly, on long haul flights, they were not fed or watered and the owners were left chewing their nails worrying. Nowadays many airlines allow dogs to travel as carry on luggage , of course this does apply to small and medium dogs, it would be difficult for a mastiff.

They are normally carried in a pet carrier. Dog owners can then be aware if the dog is airsick or has any type of distress whilst flying. Despite the fact that pets are transported by air more often than they were thirty years ago, most airlines do ask for advance notice, as they still tend to restrict the number of animals on any one flight. The policy does alter with different airlines some restrict dogs during peak flights. In some cases when the dog has to be checked into the hold the airline does require advance notice as they have to be aware that the cargo is compatible.

Some things are not safe to be carried at the same times as animals, dry ice is one example it will kill dogs. It is also a good idea to place the dog in a container with hard sides to protect the dog from accidents. Obviously, there should be sufficient room for the dog to sit, stand and lie down with ventilation from at least two sides. The carrier may well slide during a flight and it can get jammed up against something else.

Whilst putting a dog In the hold does not actually require a notice to say “this end up!”, it should be clearly marked that the luggage does contain a live animal and an arrow pointing upwards would be helpful. Baggage is handled by its very definition; is thrown about and abused. Many European carriers will not take an animal that does not have feeding instructions and a copy of the health certificates taped to the side of the carrier. This makes sense as a precaution in case the flight is delayed.

Many vets refuse to sedate animals when traveling and this has a sound scientific base a sedated animal has slower reaction times and they may not be able to maintain their balance when moved. In addition, the altitude means that they increase the likelihood of developing respiratory problems when they have been sedated.

You can make traveling by air safer for a dog if you make certain that someone will collect the dog on time. Statistically airlines report that when their accidents involving animals it is nearly always as a result of an animal traveling on a flight that is not direct. Make sure that a direct flight is used if at all possible.

Dogs like humans suffer from dust allergies or an allergy to pollen. The condition as in humans is often hereditary and they can have a reaction to grasses, mould or pollen. However dogs do not exhibit the same reaction as humans they tend not to sneeze, but the condition of their coat suffers.

If your dog has begun to scratch, bite, or lick himself then he may well be suffering from hay fever.   

When dogs do this constantly, the action of the tongue can create secondary problems, such as infections or even other sores. The treatment varies depending upon how serious the condition is. Some dogs respond to a medicated shampoo.

When the condition is more serious then the veterinarian can do an allergy test to pinpoint exactly what the dog is showing an allergic reaction towards.  Oral cortisone or antihistamines can help to bring the scratching under control. Your dog can have injections prior to Spring to increase his tolerance to whatever is giving him an allergic reaction.  

Feline leukemia virus

If your cat or kitten has contact with other cats or kittens then you should be aware of the symptoms of the feline leukemia virus. Modern research is that the disease may lead to cancer at the very least it is highly contagious, and caught from blood, urine, tears, feces or saliva.  It is however only a problem for carts it is not possible for humans to catch it, although it can be passed onto kittens even before they are born. 

Once a cat has the disease then the virus replicates in the tonsils and then spreads to the rest of the body through the bloodstream. Unfortunately, that is not the end of it as it continues to replicate in the intestines, bone marrow and the lymph nodes.

Some of the symptoms

Ø     Lack of pink or red color in the gums caused by anaemia 

Ø     Weight loss

Ø     Recurring illnesses

Ø     Persistent illness

Ø     Lethargy, fever, diarrhea

Ø     Difficulty in breathing

Ø     The whites of the eyes may become yellow.

The prognosis does vary amongst cats. Two thirds of cats develop immunity to the disease and they will live a normal life. Other cats develop a partial immunity in the sense that part of the time they are fine as if they have developed immunity, and at other times, the virus reoccurs. This can happen when they are taking medication that suppresses the immune system. At the other end of the spectrum, some cats cannot develop any immunity at all and they do not overcome the symptoms. Approximately fifty percent of these cats will die as a direct result of the disease within a few years.

Given that cats can spread this disease by grooming prevention is better than cure. There is a vaccination against the disease, but if your cat socializes or lives with other cats the food and water bowls can be washed in bleach and so can the cat litter trays. An ounce of bleach in every two pints of water is sufficient. The floor around the feeding and toilet areas should also be washed down with a bleach solution.

Cats are known for being clean animals and this isn’t just confined to how they are constantly washing themselves, but also to the environment in which they live.  If you own a cat, there are some basic hygiene rules that you need to keep in mind when caring for the areas in which your feline friend lives and sleeps.

1. Keep your cat’s bedding clean.  Check when you first launder it that the cat isn’t allergic to any detergent that you use, and then make sure that you wash any blankets every few weeks – more frequently in the summer and absolutely anytime you’ve had to de-flea your cat.  Once you’ve washed them, it doesn’t hurt to spray a little flea spray on the underside where the cat won’t lick, but don’t overdo it or the cat will decide to sleep elsewhere!

2.  Food and water should be always kept fresh.  Never leave food lying around in the open air where it’s a target for flies.  If your cat doesn’t eat it all, cover it and place in the fridge and offer it later in the day.  Water should be always available – especially in the summer when it’s hotter – and should be renewed at least twice during the day.

3.  Kitty’s litter tray is probably the place where your cat is the most particular over it being clean.  There are very few cats that will use a dirty litter box – this is their toilet and like humans, they are particular about where they go when they need to go!  Litter boxes should be cleaned at least once a day if you have the kind of litter that becomes solid when wet and other kinds of litter need to be replaced as advised on the packaging. Any poop should be lifted out immediately you notice it.

Cats don’t usually smell, but if you don’t pay attention to their environment, you will find that your home does take on a “cat smell” that others may notice.  As long as you keep the cat’s areas clean and fresh, this shouldn’t be a problem.

Domestic pets are often loved and cherished and the decision to end an animals suffering is one of the hardest decisions many pet owners have to face. In fact is it is in some cases so traumatic that some owners refuse to face it again and deny themselves the pleasure of a pet.

However many people do not know how this procedure is carried out or what options they have. For instance, some vets will perform it in the dogs home. Knowing what the options are may help you make the decision whether or not to be there. It is comforting for some pet owners to hold their animal whilst it is happening and most vets are sympathetic to this wish.

The procedure

If the animal is conscious they often have a mild sedative first so they are not aware of what is about to happen. Many vets give an indwelling catheter so that the euthanasia solution acts very fast. The solution itself is often a barbiturate usually a general anaesthetic. However it is stronger than normal not only does it cause a loss of consciousness it has to be strong enough to have cause a suppression of breathing and a slowing of cardiac functions. It is important to remember that the pet is never aware of this process. When people watch it occur, it is not always obvious that the pet has ceased to breathe and often the vet has to listen with a stethoscope. It is reported that some animals have a last gasp but it must be stressed that this is a muscular contraction and not an expression of any feeling.

If you choose to watch the process and be with your pet in the lasts moments you will be amazed at how quickly it happens. You may not even be aware of it until the pet’s muscles relax totally in death and it defecates and urinates. This is normal and no different to humans. Some animals twitch afterwards but this is also a normal release of chemicals in the nerve endings. The animal is not aware of a biological process.

Don’t forget it is not the vets favourite job to put down animals either and it is always done with the least available trauma to animals. Not everyone can be with his or her animal but for some it is the final dignity that they can give to their pet.

Not all cats adjust well to being domesticated the cat is subject to a variety of factors that result in emotional distress, and their resulting behaviour can demonstrate this. These behaviours are not abnormal at least they are not for cats, but their owners can find them distressing. Some behaviour is not abnormal but is difficult for owners to accept.

Emotional causes can be the addition of a new family member, a child or a new spouse. This can make a cat become exceedingly territorial and it will mark its territory with urine or it will defecate outside the cat litter tray. Some cats will even react to a change of furniture in the house.

Another cat habit is to claw the furniture either the drapes or the sofa, they appear to have a natural desire to rake objects. This is a distinct behavioural need in cats, and it does stem from several reasons, it is partly territorial a desire to mark out their territory. Cats also do this to clean and also sharpen their claws. Often cats can be trained to use a scratching post.  If this does not work then the claws can be surgical removed but of course, many cat lovers find this idea abhorrent and prefer to put up with the scratching.

Cats love social licking and it normally themselves or other cats but they can demonstrate this behaviour to other humans as well. Sometimes cats can suck your fingers or use a cushion or a small loose furnishing to suck. Strange as this may sound, it is often the cat’s way of regressing to kitten like tendencies. It is often found in cats that were malnourished as a kitten either because they simply were not fed the correct food for their nutritional needs or because in some cases they were weaned too early. If this was the case some cats will display compulsive cleaning or grooming habits to the point where they harm themselves.

Pica is a hunger for nonnutritive substance it may be a symptom of the need for roughage in the diet or of feline leukemia or other health problems. As with the dog, excessive eating and drinking is frequently associated with endocrine diseases such as diabetes and thyroid dysfunction.

Active and healthy cats often race through the house as though they were demented. These occur in either the evening or morning and result from the cat's rhythm of actively hunting around dawn and dusk. It is not uncommon for cats to retain this innate behaviour when domesticated, although many owners think that the cat is deranged. In the domestic environment, this normal, instinctive behaviour often still occurs, to the consternation of some owners who fear that their cat may have rabies, a brain tumour, or an unstable personality.

Changes in animals' behaviour should not be dismissed since there may be an underlying physical cause. Nevertheless, abnormal behaviour in animals often does have a nonphysical, psychological, or emotional origin, which should always be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of the ailments of domestic animals.